PM to scrap spy chiefs’ Hillsborough Law veto
PM to Scrap Spy Chiefs’ Hillsborough Law Veto
A New Approach to Transparency
The prime minister is set to abandon the idea of granting security services an automatic exemption from the Hillsborough Law. This law mandates a “duty of candour” for public authorities, compelling them to be truthful and support investigations into public disasters.
Under the revised plan, security officials will no longer hold the power to block spies from testifying. Instead, they will need to submit a formal court request to secure partial or full exemption from the law when disclosures could threaten national security.
The Hillsborough Tragedy and Its Legacy
On April 15, 1989, 97 football fans lost their lives in a crush at the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield. Families of the victims have long advocated for accountability, and their efforts led to the promise of the Hillsborough Law by Sir Keir Starmer during his time as opposition leader in 2022.
Labour backbenchers had also raised concerns about whether intelligence agencies should be exempt from the law’s requirements. The delayed passage of the legislation has drawn criticism, with families calling it a “duty of candour” that is an “insult” to those affected.
Debates Over Legal Exemptions
Earlier this year, the bill’s progress stalled due to disputes between the government and campaigners over how the new legal duty should apply to spies. Initially, the plan allowed intelligence chiefs to veto evidence that might risk national security. Now, the government aims to address these concerns by requiring specific court applications for exemptions.
A government representative stated:
“We are collaborating with the Hillsborough families, who have fought for decades, to ensure this bill is accurate. The legislation will redefine how public bodies operate during inquiries, enforcing honesty and transparency so the state always acts in the public interest.”
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